The Porsche 718 Boxster T is a 2-seater convertible sports car made for those who want to enjoy the wind in their hair while also experiencing what a true Porsche sports car can do. The Boxster T differs from the regular Boxster thanks to a few upgrades which are intended to make the car more agile and more driver-focused.
Some say that the Boxster T is just a regular Boxster and that there are no reasons to upgrade. Others deem the 718 Boxster T to be the best 4-cylinder Boxster out there because it is noticeably more focused and fun to drive. So, is Porsche 718 Boxster T a good car? Yes, the 718 Boxster T is indeed a really good car.
The Boxster T comes with a smaller 4-cylinder engine that makes the same amount of power as in the regular Boxster, but the design is slightly more appealing and the car drives better. The T model is lower to the ground and gets Porsche’s active suspension management system from the factory which makes the car a lot more exciting to drive.
Reliability is as good as in the regular Boxster, but there are some issues worth talking about. Value is also decent because you are getting more for your money and the T retains value slightly better than the regular Boxster. Practicality is decent for the car’s size which means that you get two storage spaces, but the interior seating space is limited.
Porsche 718 Boxster T – The powertrain
The Porsche 718 Boxster T gets a 2.0L turbocharged engine making 299hp and 280lb-ft of torque. This is enough for the Boxster T to reach 60mph from a standstill in around 5.1 seconds. Top speed is limited to 171mph which is a fairly hefty number for a car with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine. This engine may not be the most exciting Porsche engine out there, but it certainly does the trick.
Most Porsche enthusiasts will always take a flat 6-cylinder engine over a 4-cylinder because a flat-6 is what Porsches are made of, but the 2.0L 4-cylinder here is able to offer enough power while also being sophisticated, responsive, and relatively efficient, hence the 30MPG combined.
All Porsche 718 Boxster models come with a rear-wheel-drive system, but you can choose between a Porsche short-throw manual or a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox depending on what you prefer. This powertrain is good, but it certainly isn’t as exciting as a flat 6-cylinder.
Porsche 718 Boxster T – Design and chassis
When it comes to design, the 718 Boxster T looks slightly different from a regular Boxster model and only Porsche enthusiasts are able to dell the difference. Better-looking wheels, more equipment as standard, and a few badges here and there signify that you are not looking at a regular 718 Boxster. The interior is starting to look old a little bit but is packed with the finest materials you can find.
The 718 Boxster T is lower to the ground than the regular Boxster and it comes with Porsches active suspension management system from the factory which makes the car drive a lot more focused. It is stiff, but not overly punishing while the chassis balance is on point. The T also gets wider wheels at the back which help with putting the power down.
Porsche 718 Boxster T – Reliability and common issues
The 718 Boxster T is a decently reliable car, but it does cost a bit more money to maintain than other cars in this segment. This comes as no surprise as the Boxster is a Porsche after all. The most common issues that plague the Boxster T are associated with the transmission, the A/C, the equipment, the fuel system, and the airbags.
All in all, the Boxster T is a reliable car, but be sure to maintain it, otherwise, it is going to cause all sorts of issues.
Porsche 718 Boxster T – Value and practicality
The regular 718 Boxster costs around $64,000 while the Boxster T costs about $6,000 more. For that price, you are getting extra stuff from the factory and a few touches that are exclusive to the T model. The good news is that the Boxster T, even though it is expensive, retains its value really well which is often the case with Porsche models.
Practicality is as good as it can be for a car of this size which means that you are getting two separate storage spaces front to back. The interior seating space is limited for taller drivers, but average size drivers can get comfortable pretty easily.
FAQ Section
Is the Porsche 718 Boxster T a performance car?
The Porsche 718 Boxster T is a performance car, but it is not as focused as the Cayman 718 T. The Boxster T comes with a folding soft-top which means that it is not as rigid as the Cayman is. Therefore, the Cayman is even more agile and slightly lighter which helps during cornering.
If you are serious about performance, it makes more sense to go for the Cayman T, but if you want a cruiser that can hold its own on a racetrack, the 718 Boxster T is more than enough.
Does it make sense to upgrade from the Porsche Boxster to the Boxster T?
It depends on what you value more, having a Porsche Boxster, or having a Porsche Boxster that is slightly more dialed in for driver involvement. The reality is that these aren’t all that much different and the best way of looking at this is to ask yourself if you think that the extra stuff you get with the T makes sense.
Essentially, the T model is just a regular Boxster with additional equipment added onto it, and if you believe that those added features are something you’d go for anyway, then it makes sense to upgrade.
How fast is the Porsche 718 Boxster T?
We have already said that the Boxster T does 0-60mph in 5.1 seconds, but some independent journalists managed to do 60mph in less than 5 seconds. The top speed of 171mph is certainly fast while a quarter-mile time of 13 seconds is also pretty fast.
